''I think we are a fast bowler short, but it's a decision of the selection committee,'' Hafeez told reporters on Monday in the southern port city of Karachi.

The squad was announced by selectors last week.

Speaking during the four-day final of Pakistan's premier first-class tournament, the President's Patron's Trophy, Hafeez backed each of the four chosen pacemen.

''Junaid Khan is very good and is improving very fast, and then we have Umar Gul who is very experienced,'' Hafeez said after being dismissed by Gul for just four runs off 28 balls on Monday in the first innings.

''Ehsan Adil is new but I think when you put pressure on a new player he tends to give his best.

''Irfan has also given a good performance in Twenty20 (against India) from where he was selected for the ODIs in India and now for Tests.''

Pakistan has played just six Tests over the last year – three each against England and Sri Lanka – with a break of nearly six months between the two series.

Comments (13) Closed

Khurram

Jan 15, 2013 03:44pm

In current situation, playing at neutral sites is better than no game. PCB should arrange more of such series in the near future. Alas!, but true, I don't think it would be easier for other countries to come and play in Pakistan.

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sultan

Jan 16, 2013 10:27am

Dont underestimate Pakistan bro

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Fen

Jan 15, 2013 05:07pm

You don't disturb winning combination unless players run out of form.Few of errors made by Pakistan selectors have been dropping Adnan Akmal despite his significant contribution with bat against England last year and dropping Aizaz Cheema and Tanvir Ahmed from the team.Also it would be risky to drop Taufiq Umar because his style of batting is needed in Test matches and he has given consistent performance.Other than that team looks good on paper.

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s.m.mustafa

Jan 15, 2013 05:32pm

congrats pccb for droping the most irresponsible brothers of pakistan cricket history. after african tour pakistan should think regarding misbah, yunus, taufiq and faisal iqbal. misbah is almost 40, yunus is 35, taufiq and faisal are aging. pccb should replace them with young legs who can serve pakistan for long. hafeez should be the captain and assist by other youngster as deputy. with this policy pakistan can become a potencial side and also world beater. in the last odi against the indians misbah along with yunus and akmal brothers let down the team and this was not first time they done it so many times. and these people are shameless so its time to say them by by for ever.

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Hamza

Jan 15, 2013 06:01pm

Absolutely right and I will add that we are one quality pace bowler short.Irfan is too raw and from what i saw on T.V Ehsan lacks pace to trouble the best.

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Faraz

Jan 15, 2013 07:26pm

Where is Anwar Ali, where is Wahab Riaz and Why uncapped Ehsan Adil ... he is nothing compared to the talent of Wahab Riaz or Anwar Ali....favoritism and Misbah politics is shining

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CricIsFake

Jan 15, 2013 09:17pm

Thats how our selectors plays with career of talented cricketers. Remember Tanveer Ahmed? agree that he was on the wrong side of age column but Misbah, Ajmal and Cheema falls under same category. He bowled superbly on dead pitches against quality batting lineup of South Africa and yet he was dumped cos he was not everyone cup of tea. Nepotism and favoritism killing our cricket and cricketers from Karachi get the most of rough. Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Khurram Manzoor, Khalid Lateef, Anwar Ali, Tanveer Ahmed and the list goes on.

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Oz

Jan 15, 2013 09:37pm

Asim Kamal, what a legend.. feel sorry that his talent got wasted. I rated him similar to Mohammad Yousaf, as both when played together had great partnerships. He just would not give his wicket away.. perfect test & ODI batsman

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wasim

Jan 16, 2013 01:01am

Hafeez is right. He knows that his team is not the best pick from the available options .Pakistan pace bowlers lack experience. It will be tough series.

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Yawar

Jan 16, 2013 05:55am

Irfan should only play 20/20 and maybe some very important 1-days. He should definitely not play in a test match or else his fitness is liable to be affected and we may lose a very good fast bowler.

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Hyder

Jan 16, 2013 06:07am

Dear sir,
Very true but I am sure the PCB will penalise Mohammed Hafiz for violating his contract by speaking out his heart. One should expect such shambolic selection if the selection committee is made up of mediocre cricketers of their time.
Why Legends like Zaheer Abbas, Miandad, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar never get an opportunity to be selectors?
Many thanks,
Hyder

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Irtaza

Jan 16, 2013 07:15am

Dont blame Misbah for the team. Misbah and Whatmore have already made it clear that they are not happy with the team. Iqbal Qasim and co are responsible for taking only 4 fast bowlers to SA. I think they will have to call up Wahab Riaz sooner or later as probability of Irfan breaking down is quite high.